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![Show Contents]() Herdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of HerdonWhat does the name Herdon mean? As a surname, Herdon is thought to be derived from the place named Harden in West Yorkshire. The place name in turn is derived from the Old English words "hara," or "hare," and "denu," or "valley." 1 Early Origins of the Herdon familyThe surname Herdon was first found in Roxburghshire where one of the first records of the name was "John de Hardene of the county of Roxburghe rendered homage [to King Edward I] in 1296." 2 In Scotland, the family claim Harden in Roxburghshire as their ancient homestead. Other early record list Ricaraus de Harden as selling a horse in 1312 and William of Harden was "custumar" of Dundee in 1359. 2 Harden is a hamlet, in the parish of Bingley, union of Keighley, Upper division of the wapentake of Skyrack, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 3 One of the first records of the family was of Ricardus de Hareden who was listed in Wiltshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The "Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III" listed Henry de Hardene in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of Edward I's reign) and William de Hardene in Sussex. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings of the family: Willelmus de Hardeyn; and Adam de Hardeyn. 4 Early History of the Herdon familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herdon research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1512 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Herdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Herdon Spelling VariationsDuring the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Herdon occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Harden, Hardene, Hardin, Hardon and others. Early Notables of the Herdon familyMore information is included under the topic Early Herdon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Herdon RankingIn the United States, the name Herdon is the 18,659th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 Migration of the Herdon family to IrelandSome of the Herdon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Herdon familyGradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Herdon, or a spelling variation of the surname include: William Hardin, who settled in Virginia in 1663; John Harden settled in Nevis in 1654; Thomas Harden settled in St. Christopher in 1635; John Hardon settled in Virginia in 1635..
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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